There is a serious issue with the steering rack an pump on the 2006 dodge caravan. This appears to be a widely reported issue online. Dodge has not taken any action to recall.
2006 Dodge Caravan steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 27 of 27, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Rack and pinion steering.
2006 dodge caravan is only 4 years old with only 46,350 miles. The chrysler dealer said that power steering fluid is leaking from both boots, and that eventually the power steering rack will lock up.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge caravan. While driving approximately 45 MPH he struck a bump in the roadway. When pressure was applied to the brake pedal he heard a noise outside of the vehicle. The steering wheel began to shake violently. The failure occurred when traveling on rough road surfaces. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician stated the failure was contributed to defective front tie rod ends. There was a replacement of both front tie rod ends. The failure mileage was unavailable. The current mileage was 37,000.
Air bag lighting on and leaking steering rack air bag sensors right and left plus wiring harness had to be replaced because of road salt winter environment had recall on 2005 dodge caravans but not covered on 2006 dodge caravans dodge dealer know about problems with leaking steering rack but won't stand behind there product I just spent 1493.61 having steering rack replaced both left and right impact sensor and harness and evap leak detection pump and hoses along with purge solenoid cause by steering rack and pinion leaking on to pump.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge caravan. While at a stop light, the contact heard a loud popping noise. She noticed that the steering knuckle failed and the cv axle was twisted. The failure could have been worse if it occurred while driving on a highway. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and they are currently diagnosing the vehicle. The dealer was never notified because the contact could not reach anyone at chrysler. The vehicle will be repaired. The failure and current mileages were 53,000. Updated 08/04/09 *bf the mechanic stated theaxle failed due to a manufacturing defect. Updated 08/05/09.
Power steering noise.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the steering rack fluid was leaking out of the rack boot. She received a free oil change for her vehicle and the dealer performed a safety inspection at that time. A leak was found in the steering. Through april 20-30,2009 the steering became more difficult to turn. The front brakes were replaced in march of 2009. The current mileage was 55,591 and failure mileage was 54,612.
2006 dodge caravan 72,000 miles rack-in-pinion power steering system needs replacing. Chrysler dealer said last february they repaired 10,000 such. Someone needs to call them on this. There have been no recalls or compensation. Please look into this.
I noticed that the steering on my 2006 dodge caravan was getting hard and that it was making a loud noise. I took it to my mechanic who stated it just need power steering fluid, he filled up. A few months later it did again, I added power steering fluid, then about 2 weeks later there was a puddle of fluid under the van, I added more power steering fluid and took it back to my mechanic, after he checked it he discovered that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. He told me to call dodge and find out if there were any recalls,since they shouldn't go bad so soon. I called dodge but they stated that I would have to pay since it is no longer under warranty.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge caravan. While driving various speeds in rainy weather conditions, the belts in the vehicle become wet when driving through an inch or more of water. As a result, the vehicle will have reduced power, a loss of power steering, and the alternator will reduce its conductivity. When the failure occurs, the contact is unable to make any turns due to the loss of power steering. He has to wait until the belts dry before the power steering can become operable again. The vehicle has not been taken to a dealer and no repairs have been made. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 22,000 and current mileage was 50,000.
Purchased used 2006 dodge grand caravan may 2007, approx 20k miles; after driving an 2-3 hours highway speeds, medium pitch "growling" noise would come from engine area, pitch would go higher with steering; once car stopped for 15-30 minutes no noise heard, but return again after 1 hour of constant highway driving; under warranty dealer changed rack in rack & pinion steering; noise subsided. 6 months later, noise returned and persists, car out of warranty @ 70k+ miles.
Leaking rack and pinion steering component. Part has been back ordered for 5 weeks. Dodge can not get the part. Vehicle is a 2006 grand caravan. Dealer says dodge knows there is a problem. Dealer currently has two other vehicles with the same problem. While driving powersteering fluid leaks out completely and caused very difficult steering of the vehicle. There has been no recall on this issue. I have talked to customer service many times and can not get a response. And, the dealer still does not know when the part will be available.
Auto began making squealing noise when steering wheel was turned. 10/10/07 dealer "performed visual inspection, found power steering fluid slightly low, topped off fluid level, inspected for leaks, no leaks found at this time". Dealers advice: keep checking power steering fluid & top off as necessary. No further explanation as to why fluid would be low was offered. 2/08 found puddle of steering fluid on drive; returned car to same dealer who now advises rack & pinion needs replacement. Auto has 42,000 miles; was purchased 01/03/07 used from same dealer w/23,500 miles.
I own a 2006 dodge grand caravan with 42,000 miles on it. The rack-in-pinion power steering system is failing and leaking power steering fluid, causing a loss of power steering, which is a potential safety hazard. According to the chrysler dealer that is doing the repair, chrysler repaired 10,000 of these in february alone. They admit there is a manufacture defect in the 2005-2006 models of the caravan. Chrysler is toying with the idea of providing assistance with the repair, which will cost me about $800.00. (because I am 5,000 miles past the warranty).
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge caravan. The contact stated that after two crashes, the vehicle was taken to a body shop and repaired. She heard a loud noise and began to drive the vehicle at an unknown speed. The vehicle continued to make noise and the steering wheel was loose and moved from side to side. The vehicle was very difficult to control. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the power steering failed. The current mileage was 47,000 and failure mileage was 30,000.
I purchased a 4 cyl 2006 dodge caravan on april 28th, 2006. On may 22nd the power steering failed completely while my wife and family were out shopping. There was a substantial leak of red fluid that had spayed the entire inside of the engine compartment. (afterwards I realized how fortunate we were that there wasn't a fire) we had it towed to the dealership and were told that a hose wasn't properly "torqued" at the factory and had come off the power steering pump. I voiced my concern that all the hoses, belts and wiring had been subjected to a solvent and that it needed to be cleaned up. No effort was made to remove or clean up the solvent. I had to insist and another service was scheduled. I am still not satisfied as the engine now chatters and chirps for the first 20 minutes or so when first started. What else was "left not properly torqued" at the factory?
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